<< Local Tourist???

So early this morning, before the sun came up, I went fishing out on the pier for the first time. I usually fish around Dauphin Island, and the Mobile bay/rivers. As more people were coming out as the sun was coming up, I quickly learned or realized that I was way out of place. I started fishing at 9:30pm the night before down on the point, then later moved to the pier; and I looked like I was out all night fishing lol. So here I am on the pier, fishing with some squid, and not really catching anything that great, then all these guys come around casting artificial tackle, which I later had to Google to learn that most of them were using bubble rigs; and these guys were pulling out Spanish left and right, along with snagging my line like 50 times, and no apologetic pleasantries lol, and not only that, everyone was dressed up in all their fancy fishing clothes. I felt like I was the red headed step child or something. Right then I told myself, wow, I definitely don't belong here, so I just went home. I am seriously not trying to hate on these people. I know that this is probably the norm here and all that, and that is cool, I'm just not used to, I don't know how to describe it, stuck up fisherman? I was told by other people before going to the pier that everyone is usually pretty nice and will help you if you need it. Anyways I just told my wife 30 min ago, that I need to go and spend all this money cause I need these kind of clothes, this kind of rod and reel, you know ect...So I can be "apart" of the "group". Then in an instant I was like wait, what am I thinking, no I don't think so lol. I hope what I have expressed here is understandable. I'm not sure as this was my first time there if it is always like this, or maybe I came on a really bad day? I'm sure there are some pretty nice people that fish there, I mean I've heard of them lol. So help me out please! Am I thinking straight? Was this really a bad day? Should I have just stayed away from that place? I still want that rod/reel/tackle setup; looked like a lot of fun!!!

Being your first trip to the pier, with a weekend summer crowd.....I really can't comment on those crowds.....to bad you had a bad experience, the end can be intimidating at times......the pier is loooong with plenty of other good fishing space......I wish you better luck on your next trip......sometimes it is best to watch who is catching, and duplicate there skills......if you weren't fishing straight out in front of you, that might have been some of the problem......with a current you need to follow your bait, casting lures or anything should be thrown straight out......good luck next time

Sorry to hear that man. By the sound of things,time of day,and day of the week,you were dealing with tourist,not locals or the people that are out of town regulars. Please don't let this experince leave a sour taste in your mouth and give it another shot once school starts back because it is much less crowded.

Hopefully after a good night's sleep you may be able to answer most of your own questions.

BTW, were you fishing in the "Red Zone" (i.e. No Bottom Fishing) at the end of the pier?
What were you thinking during the first 49 times these "stuck up fishermen" snagged your line?
There is a BIG difference between being "apart" from a group and being "a part" of it ;-)
Apparently these other fishermen knew what it took to catch fish today.
A conversation can begin from either party...

IMHO you come across like a guy with 'a chip on his shoulder' (hopefully just from a bit of sleep deprivation),
who had a "bad day" fishing experience and just signed up on the forum to stir the pot.
Well that won't help you make new friends here either...

Sweet dreams!

Honestly I have over 25+ years on the pier and yes I do have days when I get ticked off at others during the hot summer days and will leave, but those rare days do not make up for all of the great days of fishing that I have had there. Remember summer months is tourist season and it will die down soon. I usually only fish the beginning of the week during the summer and early am's just to avoid crowds. If you would like to give it another chance I could show you the ropes on a less crowded day and show you how to rig a bubble which also works great at the point.

Having good gear and knowing what to do makes you stuck up? I don't understand what these people did wrong.

they are more than willing to help those who want help. if you were snagged that many times, it sounds like you were the problem hence the not-so-friendly reception.

Welcome to the Forum, T.o.g. You are now a member of group that prefers to see everyone succeed at fishing. All those folks you were with today do not represent all fishers. If there is still some interest on your part to pier fish after your experience today, make use of this resource, the forum, and become a part of the solution. Can not hurt, and you can be assured of learning how to improve your skill set; maybe make a trip to the pier more rewarding for you. Good luck to you, and smooth drags. And btw, leave the squid at the store. There are many better baits.

Welcome to the forum Thatone!
You fished the friendliest pier on the Gulf Coast with people catching fish while you weren't. If you were bottom fishing with your squid along south rail between the yellow lines, that would explain your feeling that you were in the wrong place.
Don't waste your time fishing with squid in the future; live shrimp, minnows, LY's or even fresh dead shrimp will greatly increase your odds of success.
If you need help/tips on catching fish on the pier, all you have to do is ask and be willing to listen and try new techniques.

Hope you have better luck in the future.

I haven't (nor probably will not in the near future) had time to fish the pier like I did growing up. But from what I read here (as you probably do) on a constant basis tells me there's still plenty of helpful folks around. I get a kick helping folks enjoy their experience down there as much as ripping lips off of a spanish. AND you'll see all kinds of things/people that'll get ya annoyed, I understand. Now, "gear envy" is just a sickness we all catch at some point. Growing up before the internet, my only exposure to saltwater/pier gear was, well, at the pier. That's how I thought you could only catch macks on a custom rod (those old fenwick blanks were popular) and a 706. That was, until I watched Otis using those little Mitchell's and Gus using a Penn Silver Series. All I knew during those early years is that I liked it there. Talk about not fitting in. My & my dad's arsenal consisted of zebco 33's. I worked my way up to pier house Foster Grant fishing glasses & a John G custom rod. Over time, I learned what I wanted in gear and how/what I wanted to fish for. Now, it is a public place and you have to share it with whomever shows up with their money, but it has been my experience there were more good folk than the less desirables. Heck, I just learned the other day that it is an "education pier." Times change. There were days Mr. Pierce seemed more offensive than he actually was back then. Most times he was actually teaching us something - in his personal style. lol. The point of this long ramble is this...if you felt the kind of child-like excitement so many of us did/do walking out there, you'll enjoy the journey that is learning about fishing that place and making memories almost as much as catching the fish. Tight lines to ya.

Thanks for the info everyone!!! I apologize for coming across in a defensive way. It was not my intention to upset anyone, or to stir any pots. I actually came here for help. I may have a hard time explaining myself/feelings at times and that was what came to mind at the time, again, I apologize. "Having good gear and knowing what to do doesn't make you stuck up", that isn't exactly what I meant. I guess the best way to describe it, is how I felt years ago in high school. I went to a very rich high school where the parents bought all their kids name brand clothing and brand new vehicles and what not. I was one of the unfortunate who could not afford all this. So I was one of the kids there that got bullied cause I wasn't wearing the right stuff, or driving the coolest vehicle. This experience sorta felt the same way. I mean I was the only one there before more people came out, so I didn't like squeeze into a group of people. I wasn't being rude to anyone, and I was fishing straight out in front of me, and was aware of where my line was at all times. One thing I don't know about, and that I must have missed were the yellow lines? Deep down inside I wish there was a pier manual for dummies lol cause I could have used it. I at least know that when I pick a fishing spot, that this is where I am fishing; not at a 45deg angle over there or whatever, cause you're usually not the only one fishing. I respect everyone's space. I know some of you might be thinking, why or how is this your first time fishing on this pier? I moved here to southern Alabama 15 years ago. I did fish a little when I moved here, but not long after moving here, I joined the Army, and served 10 years. When I came back I couldn't get a job due to my PTSD; I also had a very difficult time adjusting back into civilian life, which I'm still adjusting but i'm way better than I was lol. The only choice I had at the time was going to truck driving school and going over the road. I now work locally, but during those times I never had time to get out there to do what I really lover to do, which is fish. I'm sorry this is long, but I feel as if I need to fully explain myself, because I know I can be a confusing person. And yes Pier#r there is a difference, and thank you for your correction. I'm not trying to sound or be perfect, but I'm doing my best; trust me I can and will admit that I make lots of mistakes, but I always try to make as few as possible. Boodro and PerdidoHunter, your awesome thanks!! I needed to hear that! I'm hoping this reply will untangle any confusion and help you guys get to know me better. I really am a nice guy. If this reply is also a fail I promise will leave the forums, I'm really not here to cause any problems. I guess I'll go ahead and apologize for my spelling, or grammar issues. I hope you at least understand what I am saying. Thanks!!!

GREAT COMMENTS ALL.

WATCH, LISTEN , FOLLOW.

leave HAPPY.

So, did you say they were catching spanish???? Did you happen to notice what color? Was it near the toilet or out on the end?

From experience, when a hot Spanish bite is going, it isn't a good time to be asking advice and learning how. As short a supply as Spanish runs have been lately, even more so. If you were fishing on bottom in the middle of that, when the action was on top with bubble rigs, you were going to cause tangles in the dark, which won't make you popular. At all. If they didn't stop to have a conversation, it was because the fish were "on".

When you look up and the old men are at the rail looking excited and flailing away....don't expect a lot of talk. Something good is happening. If you have the stuff to fish like they are, then jump in. If not, then go to j&m. The bite will probably be over when you get back but you will be ready for the next round.

Try again. Good luck. Post pictures.

Thanks for replying, Thatoneguy. I know I've been in your shoes and I think everybody feels like an outsider when doing something for the first time (except for one notable exception a very long time ago), like starting a new job or moving to a new place.

Rich1 has some excellent comments, especially as regards when there is a hot Spanish bite on bubble rigs---it is by far the best choice to get out your own bubble rig and get to it. You will catch more fish and have more fun than if you insist on doing things your own way where you weren't having much luck anyhow.

When I first started pier fishing a few years ago, I thought I knew a lot about fishing---and I did, but there was a lot about PIER FISHING that I had to learn. Man, I'd been fishing all my life and had been a charter boat captain for fifteen years, so what could a bunch of pier rats know that I had to learn? Plenty! First and foremost is pier etiquette---we all catch more fish when we fish together---I created some memorable tangles, but I humbly apologized and did my best to learn, and the pier rats were generally forgiving and helpful, and I tried to pay attention to their comments. It has paid off for me and I've made a lot of friends and caught a lot of fish with their help. If there is one place in this sorry old world where there is very little snobbery, it's on the Gulf Shores Fishing Pier.

Keep coming back. Don't be afraid to ask questions and keep your ears open. When I was a kid, my mama told me, "To have friends, you have to be one." She was right.

Due to the hot weather and upcoming surgery, it will be a while before I spend much time on the pier, but if you see my cart with the yellow "Haywire" flag on it, come by and say hello, and I'll tell you a fish story.

Hang in there with the PTSD.

On behalf of my family and myself, I wish to Thank You for your service to my country, Thatoneguy. Your post was not long, nor was it boring. I read it more than once. Get back out there and fish; it will get better and better. Especially when you can pick the times when the crowds are thin, and the temps drop. Post us some pics, if you would be so kind. A great many of us are not close to our favorite fishin' hole, and only get to keep up from far, far away. Smooth drags to ya.

I see that you said you did 10 years. I was active army out of high school and went to both Iraq and Afghanistan (10th mountain) also and just got out two years ago and starting to fish again. The PTSD is a Bit$% and I have realized that fishing does help with it and it does get better with time. I am glad you got the driving job as I cannot work either as I battle my own demons. But if you ever want to hit the surf or the point just pm me or if you need some help let me know and hopefully I can point you in the right direction.

Thank you much you guys!!! I'll let you know the time I'm heading that way again! I could sure use the help. Thanks Bodebum, Haywire, and Perdidohunter!

Well said, thatoneguy. I'm sure you can find some one to hook you up with the right materials next time. Heck, maybe even a long sleeve dry-fit shirt with a fish picture on it!

Mike Peacher from Panama city area wrote a great book on pier fishing. He gives detailed info for gear, knots, leaders, hooks, bait etc. He also discusses catching the different species of fish. You can contact him thru the panhandle site as long as it's up...the owner says he's shutting it down the end of july. He self published it, so I figure you can only get it from him. It is worth it. Great info.

His book was available in the Navarre pier house, but I have not been there in a while.